2022
As part of our advocacy, #OneAccesibility, we will share information about differently able and profile one location with accessible trails. Look out every week for this enlightening post.
July is a 'Disability Pride month', so this month we are focusing on writing articles and sharing information on disability signs and symbols. There are so many unique situations and disabilities that define the human race, and the majority of these disabilities can be greatly improved with the use of a service animal. A service animal is an animal that is specially trained to perform specialized tasks that their owner is either incapable of doing or would have a very hard time doing for themselves. Most often, dogs are utilized as service animals due to their intelligent nature and strong connection with the human race; however, this doesn’t mean other kinds of animals are incapable of serving as a service animal. Service animals are highly trained animals that are capable of understanding complex situations and accomplishing their tasks even during times of duress.
In the UK, service animals are allowed everywhere by law. Assistance/Guide dog owners have important rights under the 2010 Equality Act (EA). This law allows people with disabilities to have the same rights as everyone else to use the services supplied by shops, banks, hotels, libraries, pubs, taxis and restaurants.Assistance Dogs UK is a coalition of assistance dog organisations that provide support and have been accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and/or The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).
The highly-trained nature of service animals means they can be trained to understand the specific needs of the individual handler to whom they are issued. This training allows them to aid people with all kinds of different disabilities.
Here are few disabilities where service animals are used :
- Hearing Impaired : For people with hearing impairments, these types of service animals assist by alerting their human to noises such as alarms, doorbells, or crying babies.
- Severe Allergies : Allergy detection dogs are trained to sniff out and alert to the odor of things such as peanuts or gluten. This ability can be lifesaving for those who suffer from extreme allergies.
- Visually Impaired :The assistance of a service animal can help them navigate busy streets and establishments without worrying as much about bumping into people or walking in front of traffic.
- Mobility assistance: The service animals can bring objects to people, press buttons on automatic doors, serve as a brace for people who are ambulatory but unsteady, or even help pull a wheelchair up a ramp.
- Autism/Cognitive disability assistance : Service animals help increase a person’s safety and sense of security through their presence and the actions they can take on behalf of their handler. In addition to improving an autistic person’s quality of life by reducing isolation and comforting the person in stressful times, these animals are also trained to keep children from running away and can often track the children if they do run away.
The Service Animals aren’t restricted to just being dogs. Dogs are the most common type of service animal used, but the following animals are also permitted to be specially trained as a service animal:
- Miniature Horses
- Ferrets
- Capuchin Monkeys
- Boa Constrictors
- Parrots
- Potbelly Pigs
The bottom line is that there are many different disabilities or disorders that can be treated with the use of a service animal. Obviously, these animals can’t provide a cure, but they can help make everyday life a little more bearable. Let us all encourage people with disabilities to be proud of what they are and respect them and treat them equally and help them find amazing places and experiences on Maps which they can enjoy too !
If you see any place that is service dog friendly , added or mentioned on Maps or have seen any of these signs in your country , feel free to mention in the comments below.
If you have a question, suggestion, or contribution, feel free to comment below. You can read last week's roundup article here and check the list of our other articles under "Accessibility Uncovered".
